OTTO RUDOLPH KLEMM

Otto and Rose (Jankovich) Klemm
(Photo by The McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL))

Otto Rudolph Klemm gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. May 26, 1894 in Germany
D. June 16, 1963 in Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Ludwig (last name unknown)
  • Step Father: Rudolph/Rudolf Klemm born October 30, 1868 in Poland/Russia; married Mathilda Klemm about 1907; immigrated September 27, 1910 arriving in New York; naturalized September 26, 1924; occupation: carpenter; Rudolph died May 1, 1930 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI; buried in Green Ridge Cemetery, Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI

According to the Kenosha News (Kenosha WI) Friday, May 2, 1930, page 7:

“Rudolph Klemm
Taken by Death
Resident of Kenosha for Past Twenty
Years Dies After
Short Illness

   Rudolph Klemm, 62 years, a resident of Kenosha for the past twenty years, died at his home, 5034 Twenty-eighth avenue, Thursday afternoon following a short illness.
   He was born in Poland September 30, 1867 the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Klemm.  He spent his early life in his native land and was educated there, coming to American (illegible) to Kenosha twenty years ago and has made his home here since that time.
   He was in the employment of the Nash Motors company until last fall.  He was well known in Kenosha, a man of strong character admired by all who knew him.
   He is survived by his wife Mathilda Schidt Klemm and give sons and three daughters: Adolph Klemm of Volo, Ill., John Klemm in Poland, Emil Klemm, Julius Klemm, Rudolph Klemm, Mrs. Joseph Salicia, Mrs. Grand Gunderson, and Miss Agnes Klemm, of Kenosha.  He is also survived by five grand-children and four brothers and one sister, Ludwig Klemm of Kenosha, Carl Klemm in Poland, Mrs. Paulina Folks in Poland and William Klemm in Poland, and Joseph Klemm in Rockford, Illinois, also survive.
   Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock from the Hansen funeral home, interment following in the family plot in Greed Ridge cemetery.”

  • Mother: Mathilda “Tillie” (Schmidt) (Klemm) Bernhardt born January 27, 1888 in Poland, daughter of Albert Schmidt; married (1) Ludwig (last name unknown); married (2) Rudolph Klemm; married (3) unknown Bernhardt; immigrated arriving May 22 1911 in New York with her children, Wanda and Emil Klemm; naturalized on February 20, 1940 in Kenosha County, WI; Mathilda died October 17, 1953 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI; buried in Green Ridge Cemetery, Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI

According to the Kenosha News (Kenosha WI) Saturday, October 17, 1953, page 7:

“Mathilda Bernhardt
Dies of Long Illness

   Mrs. Mathilda Klemm Bernhardt, 65, 5034 28th Ave., died early this morning at the Shady Lawn rest home following a long illness.  Born in Poland, Jan. 27, 1888, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Albert Schmidt, she came to Kenosha in 1911.  Mrs. Bernhardt was a member of the Immanuel Methodist church.
   Survivors are three sons and a daughter, Emil, Julius, Rudolph and Miss Agnes Klemm, all of Kenosha; a brother and a sister, Albert, Canada; Mrs. Anna Janst, Kenosha, and five grandchildren.”

According to the Kenosha News (Kenosha WI) Saturday, October 17, 1953, page 9:

“BERNHARDT – Funeral services for the late Mrs. Mathilda Bernhardt of 5034 28th Ave., will be held on Monday, Oct. 19 at 10:00 a.m. from the Hansen Funeral Home.  Interment following in Green Ridge cemetery.  Friends may call at the funeral home from noon on Sunday.”

According to the Kenosha News (Kenosha WI) Tuesday, October 2, 1973, page 8:

“Mrs. Joseph Salica

   Mrs. Joseph (Olga) Selica, 75, 1862 22nd Ave., died at Brookside Nursing Home this morning following a long illness.
   Born in Germany on September 9, 1898, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Klemm.  In 1912 she came to Kenosha to make her home.  On Sept. 18, 1923 she married Joseph Salica.
   She was formerly employed by the Allen A. Co., and later was a Harvey Girl for the Fred Harvey Santa Fe Line for several years in Colorado and Texas.
   She was a member of Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church.
   Survivors include her husband; a son, Benjamin J. Salice, Kenosha; a daughter, Mrs. Arthur (Marie) Hacker, Zion; six grandchildren; and two brothers, Julius and Rudolph Klemm, and a sister, Mrs. Grant (Wanda) Gunderson, Sr. Kenosha.
   She was preceded in death by a sister, Agnes, and three brothers, Adolph, Emil and John Klemm.”

    • Wanda (Klemm) Gunderson born March 18, 1900 in Germay; married Grant A. Gunderson (1895-1970) on March 4, 1922, a WW I veteran PFC Sup Co 340 Infantry; Wanda died May 23, 1980 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI; Wanda and Grant are buried in Sunset Ridge Memorial Park, Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI

According to the Sunday News (Kenosha WI) Sunday, May 25, 1980, page 6:

“Wanda Gunderson

   Wanda Gunderson, 80, 1854 22nd Ave., died Friday afternoon at Kenosha Memorial Hospital.
   She was born on March 18, 1900 in Germany, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph (Mathilda Schmidt) Klemm.
   She came to Kenosha in 1909, where she received her education.
   On March 4, 1922, she married Grant A. Gunderson, who preceded her in death on May 24, 1970.
   She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1865.
   She is survived by two sons, Grant A. Jr., and Robert A., both of Kenosha; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a brother, Rudolph Klemm, Ocala, Fla.
   She was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.”  

    • Adolph Klemm
    • John Klemm
  • Step Siblings:
    • Emil Klemm born April 2, 1909 in Poland/Russia; veteran WW II TEC 4, Coast Arty Corps (1942); Emil died April 22, 1964 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI; buried in Wood National Cemetery, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI

According to the Kenosha News (Kenosha WI) Friday, April 24, 1964, page 14:

“Emil Klemm, 55 dies
at Veterans Hospital

   Emil Klemm, 55, 1610 52nd St., died at Wood veterans hospital in Milwaukee Wednesday night following a long illness.  He had been employed at the Simmons Co. plant here for around 18 years prior to its closing.
   Mr. Klemm was born April 12, 1909, in Poland.  His parents were the late Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Klemm.  Coming to this country as an infant, he moved to Kenosha immediately with his parents.  He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Army in the European theater of operations.
   Survivors include two brothers, Julius and Rudolph, and three sisters, Agnes Klemm, Mrs. Grant (Wanda) Gunderson and Mrs. Joseph (Olga) Salica, all of Kenosha”

    • Julius Klemm born May 22, 1912 in Kenosha County, WI; married Ruth J. Coulter (1911-1973) on December 2, 1933; Julius died June 1977 in Kenosha County, WI; Julius and Ruth are buried in the Sunset Ridge Memorial Park, Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI

According to the Kenosha News (Kenosha WI) June 22, 1977:

“Klemm

   Julius Klemm, 65, 4518 47th Ave., died Tuesday afternoon at St. Catherine’s Hospital following a long illness.
   Born in Kenosha on May 22, 1912, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Klemm.  He was educated in Kenosha schools and has spent his lifetime here.
   On Dec. 2, 1933, he married Ruth Coulter.  She preceded him in death on Sept. 12, 1973.  He was a member of the Penial Tabernacle, the Kenosha County Fair Police, was a constable and first dog warden of Somers and was a member of Teamsters Union.  He had been a driver for Commercial Truckers, Racine, Wis.
   Surviving are three sons, Ralph and George, both of Kenosha, and Gerald, Somers; 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
   Also surviving are a brother, Rudolph, Kenosha, and a half-sister, Mrs. Wanda Gunderson, Kenosha.
   He was preceded in death by one brother, Emile; a sister, Miss Agnes Klemm; and a half sister, Mrs. Olga Salica.”

    • Agnes M. Klemm born March 25, 1914 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI; Agnes died May 22, 1972 in Kenosha, Kenosha County, WI

According to the Kenosha News (Kenosha WI) Wednesday, May 24, 1972, page 2:

“Mrs. Agnes Klemm

   Mrs. Agnes Klemm, 58, 1604 61st St., was found dead at her home by a daughter Tuesday night.  She apprently (sic) died of natural causes a day or two earlier.
   She was born March 25, 1914, in Kenosha, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Klemm, and attended local schools.  She had been employed at Samuel Lowe, Inc.
   Survivors are two daughters; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Rudolph and Julius Klemm, both of Kenosha.  She was preceded in death by a brother, Emil.”

    • Rudolph Ludwig Klemm born January 13, 1920 in Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha County, WI; Army veteran WW II; married Mary Barbara (1915-2017); Rudolph died January 6, 2011; Rudolph and Mary are buried in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Sumter County, FL

Additional Information:

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Volo Town, Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL living on Main Street, the household members were:

“Otto R. Klemm, head, age 29, married at age 21, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1911, occupation: proprietor – automobile repair; Rose J. Klemm, wife, age 26, married at age 18, born in Czechoslovakia, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1907, occupation: proprietor – confectionary stand; Dorothy M. Klemm, daughter, age 6, single, born in Illinois”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, July 31, 1930, page 1:

“BARBECUE STAND BURNS AT VOLO THURSDAY

   The McHenry fire department was called to the oil station and barbecue conducted by Otto Klemm at Volo at 11 o’clock Thursday evening.  The place was completely destroyed by fire and had gained a big headway before the fire department could reach the place.  Origin of the fire is unknown.   The loss was well covered by insurance.”

According to the Daily Sentinel (Woodstock IL) Saturday, August 2, 1930, page 3:

“VOLO

   Friday evening about 11 o’clock the barbecue stand, run by Otto Klemm, burned to the ground.  How the fire started is unknown.  Hardly any of the merchandise was saved.  The community extends sympathy (sic) to Mr. and Mrs. Klemm.
   …Mrs. Otto Klemm is now staying at the Matt Rossdeutcher home since the stand burned down.”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, August 7, 1930, page 2:

“VOLO

   Mr. and Mrs. Otto Klemm and daughter moved to Wisconsin this week.”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, April 16, 1931, page 6:

“VOLO

   Mr. and Mrs. Otto Klemm and family of Kenosha, Wis., moved Friday to their new barbecue stand here.”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Grant Township, Lake County, IL living on Route Twelve, the household members were:

“Otto Klemm, head, age 46, married, highest grade completed: 8; born in Germany, naturalized, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: Proprietor – Tavern; Rose Klemm, wife, age 36, married, highest grade completed: H1, born in Hungary, naturalized, lived in same house in 1935; Dorothy Klemm, daughter, age 16, single, highest grade completed: H1, born in Illinois, lived in same place in 1935; Elaine Klemm, daughter, age 9, single, highest grade completed: 3, born in Wisconson, lived in same place in 1935”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942:

“Name: Otto Klemm; Place of Residence: Round Lake, Lake County, Illinois; Mailing address: Same; Telephone: McHenry 647J1; Age in Years: 47; Date of Birth: May 26, 1894; Place of Birth: Germany (near Berlin), Europe; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Len Littlefield, Round Lake, Illinois; Employer’s Name and Address: Self; Place of Employment: Volo, Lake County, Illinois; Race: White: Height: 5′ 8 1/2″; Weight: 175; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Light; Signed april 27, 1942”

According to the Iron County News (Hurley WI) Friday, October 24, 1947, page 10:

“Mr. and Mrs. Otto Klemm and family, of Round Lake, Ill., are spending a few days in Mercer.  They are building a summer home on Pike lake.”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Wauconda Township, Lake County, IL, the household members were:

“Otto Klemm, head, age 53, married, born in Germany, If foreign born, is he naturalized?: Yes; Rose Klemm, wife, age 46, married, born in Austria Hungary, If foreign born, is he naturalized?: Yes; Elaine Klemm, daughter, age 19, never married, born in Wisconsin, Occupation: General Office worker – Wholesale Radio Mfg Co”; Caroline Jankovich, mother in law, age 81, widowed, born in Austria Hungary”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, October 18, 1951, page 2:

OTTO KLEMMS, LONG TIME LOCAL BUSINESS PEOPLE, NOW ENGAGED IN CHINCILLA RAISING
   “After completing twenty-five years in business in the Volo community, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Klemm three years ago retired as lunch room and tavern managers and entered into an entirely new and different venture, raising chinchillas.  Combining business with hobby, they have learned the are of raising these small animals on their “O.K. Chinchilla Ranch” near Volo.
   The Klemms bought three pair of the fabulous balls of fur and were surprised to find that they were easy to raise.  Thus, the enterprise expanded and recently a new building was erected to house the growing number.
   So many folks in the area have asked to see the chinchillas that the Klemms have decided to have open house Saturday, Oct. 20, and Sunday, Oct. 21, at which time the animals will be on display for the benefit of all who have never seen them.  The public may stop at their convenience on either day and see these remarkable animals whose fur has been used for royalty in Europe and Asia for several hundred years…”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL), Thursday, October 2, 1952, page 6:

“OTTO KLEMMS
WED 30 YEARS
         “Mr. and Mrs. Otto Klemm of Volo observed their thirtieth wedding anniversary last Saturday, Sept. 27, when they enjoyed dinner at Westlake’s in Solon Mills with their two daughters and their husbands.  The two girls, who planned the celebration, are Mrs. George Cross and Mrs. James McNally.”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL), Thursday, October 18, 1962, page 2:

OBSERVE ANNIVERSARY
   “Mr. and Mrs. Otto Klemm, long time residents of Volo, recently celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary with a family dinner was given by their daughters and husbands, Mr. and Mrs. George Cross and Mr. and Mrs. James McNally.  The table was decorated with a beautiful wedding cake.
   A guest at the dinner was Chuck Abel of Lakemoor.
   Besides their daughters, they have eight grandchildren Karen, Patricia, Candee, Jamie, and twins, Joy and Jill McNally, and Carrie and Donna Cross.
   Otto Klemm and Rose Jankovich were married in 1922 at St. Paul’s Lutheran church, Chicago, and came to the McHenry area in 1923.  They have been in business here since that time.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Monday, June 17, 1963, page 8:

“Volo Merchant Dies Suddenly; Imcomplete Rites

   McHENRY – Otto Klemm, 69, of Volo, was pronounced dead on arrival Sunday night at McHenry Hospital.  He was born May 26, 1894, in Germany, and was a 38-year resident of the area.  He was a retail merchant in Volo.
   Survivors are his widow, Rose; two daughters, Mrs. Dorothy McNally, and Mrs. Elaine Cross, Volo; eight grandchildren; and two sisters, Mrs. Wanda Gunderson and Mrs. Olga Salica, Kenosha, Wis.
   Arrangements are being made in the Peter M. Justen and Son funeral home.”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Tuesday, June 18, 1963, page 24:

“KLEMM – Otto Klemm, age 69, Volo, Ill., suddenly, beloved husband of Rose, nee Jankovich; fond father of Mrs. Dorothy McNally, and Mrs. Elaine Cross; beloved brother of Mrs. Wanda Gunderson, and Mrs. Olga Salica; grandfather of eight.  Resting at the Peter M. Justen & Son Funeral Home, 3807 W. Elm street, McHenry, Ill.  Funeral services at 2 p. m. Wednesday, June 19.  Interment Fort Hill cemetery, Lake County.  815-385-0063.”

According to the McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry IL) Thursday, June 20, 1963, page 5:

OTTO KLEMM
   “Otto Klemm of Volo, well known business man in this area for many years, died unexpectedly of a heart attack Sunday, June 16, about 10 o’clock in the evening.  He was 69 years of age.
   The Klemms resided in the Volo area for the past thirty-eight years, and more recently had operated the Merrill Woolen Mills store there.
   He was born in Germany May 26, 1894.
   Survivors are his wife, Rose; two daughters, Mrs. Dorothy McNally and Mrs. Elaine Cross of Volo; two sisters, Mrs. Wanda Gunderson and Mrs. Olga Salico of Kenosha; and eight grandchildren.
   The body rested at the Peter M. Justen & Son funeral home until Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, when Rev. Carl Lobitz of Zion Lutheran church officiated at last rites.  Burial was in Fort Hill cemetery near Round Lake.”